Popular Post webfact Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 One foreign diver deported, one clings on after Koh Pha-ngan eco assault By The Nation Immigration authorities have deported one of the two foreign divers who disturbed marine animals off Koh Pha-ngan in Surat Thani province in August. The other has appealed to stay on in Thailand. Hungarian national Attila Ott and his Dutch-Italian diving buddy Francesco Simonetti were charged on September 1 and fined Bt10,000 each after posting pictures and video of themselves poking and tickling sea creatures in a protected area of the ocean. Ott, a diving instructor and owner of the island’s Pink Panther Scuba Dive Club, was deported after having his visa revoked, said Sophon Thongdee, director-general of marine and coastal resources. Meanwhile Simonetti, who worked at Koh Pha-ngan‘s Barracuda restaurant, has posted Bt50,000 bail and is awaiting the result of his appeal to stay, lodged with the Immigration Bureau. Surat Thani governor Witchawut Jinto has urged authorities to close the case quickly since it concerns the sensitive issue of environmental preservation in the province. He said tourists who visit Surat Thani in the future will receive information warning them not to disturb the environment. Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30399637 -- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-15 - Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you - Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates 3 6 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 Eco Assault ???? Really ??? The faux outrage is, well, outrageous.... By all means protect nature, the seas, the corals etc... but do so equally. Fine those polluting the oceans, those who litter, and yes, fine those for handling corral, but only as much as those Thai’s who do the same thing. This treatment really quite ridiculous, when in comparison the guy who recently pistol whipped a girl and kicked her in the face 3 times was given a 1000 baht fine ! 51 12 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ChipButty Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 Thats a bit over the top, obviously fining them was not enough 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ChipButty Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 People disturb my environment everyday 5 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
from the home of CC Posted December 15, 2020 Share Posted December 15, 2020 trying to get 'likes' cost em' big time - looks good on them SMM - (social media morons).. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Cake Monster Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 When I see the Daily assault that many, many Thais put upon their own Eco System, with their Commercial Scale Trash burning, Toxic Waste dumping, disrespect for the Environment as a whole, and the Authorities turning a blind Eye or taking a Bung, this is really Pathetic. OK, these Guys made a very bad mistake, they should have known better, but their treatment has been disproportionately harsh, and a large fine and a Diving ban for One Year would have been sufficient. We dont see so many prosecutions for Dumping and Trash Burning Two faced Thailand. 48 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RJRS1301 Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 58 minutes ago, webfact said: He said tourists who visit Surat Thani in the future will receive information warning them not to disturb the environment. So loud music,vehicle pollution, garish lights, plastic waste.inadequate waste sewer disposal, is acceptable, but do not tickle the wild life 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post J Town Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 The mistake these guys made was publishing it on social media. They didn't do anything most of us divers have done at one time or another, but we didn't brag about it on the internet. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RJRS1301 Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 52 minutes ago, ChipButty said: Thats a bit over the top, obviously fining them was not enough Cheap diving school for lease, please apply local immigration chief. (brother) 3 4 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LomSak27 Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 Good warning to all that want to invest in Thailand. If they want it, they'll take it. 16 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ChipButty Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 I'll stick to muff diving 5 1 19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post RichardColeman Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 11 hours ago, webfact said: Surat Thani governor Witchawut Jinto has urged authorities to close the case quickly since it concerns the sensitive issue of environmental preservation in the province. More likely close it quickly and get it under the carpet before it effects Thailand tourism image 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ourmanflint Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 Another Thailand is a laughing stock story. Just stupid and not based in the slightest on any science 6 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ChipButty Posted December 15, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 15, 2020 The Thais will exploit any animal, no matter how endangered, for a bit of fun or to make a few baht, 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ardsong Posted December 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) can not belief these stu... divers. first of all disturbing the natural beauties of the sea and than secondly most stupid to shows their own illegal actions on the public internet. Had they not posted these pictures, nobody would have know except these divers and then they could have shown the pictures to their close friends only . Edited December 16, 2020 by ardsong correction 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post herwin1234 Posted December 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2020 An OWNER of a scuba dive shop should know better and give a good example. Thailand is not Disney World, there are rules. Thailand makes good efforts protecting its environment, i follow Thai environmental police (dont know the exact name) on fb and see how they arrest ppl illegally logging trees and catching wildlife. Just a few months ago one of these ppl was shot dead by a local illegal logger. N0 double standards, i aplaud the Thai for being serious protecting the environment. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
herwin1234 Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 16 hours ago, ChipButty said: Thats a bit over the top, obviously fining them was not enough sure, a small fine and than these fine gentlemen laugh their heads off and ridicule these "stupid Thai officials". They would take it as a badge of honor to get a fine. a fine hardly will deter ppl from doing this. so yes, revoking visa is a clear signal. if you cant behave, go be a bad boy in yr own country. ???? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cardinalblue Posted December 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) Thailand has a terrible environmental record from polluting oceans, slash and burn culture, improper waste water discharge and hazardous waste dumping, over-fishing, and my favorite garbage and litter everywhere... you are hard pressed to find one square meter of land that hadn’t been contaminated by humans with some type of garbage especially plastic... the divers were wrong being in a protected area but I believe they weren’t malicious in their intent...only ignorant in poking around...it wasn’t like they were poaching unlike what occurs constantly in Thai forests...look up thailand’s record on wildlife trade... these guys ended up being low hanging fruit and easy prey... Edited December 16, 2020 by cardinalblue 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Venom Posted December 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2020 No comparison to the 2.5 PM pollution eco assault presently being inflicted on every man woman and child across central Thailand. ???? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizardlake Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 16 hours ago, RJRS1301 said: So loud music,vehicle pollution, garish lights, plastic waste.inadequate waste sewer disposal, is acceptable, but do not tickle the wild life ??? U cum to Thailand to tickle the wild life do U not? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keesters Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 17 hours ago, ChipButty said: People disturb my environment everyday Dogs do the same for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffr2 Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 And yet the Thai dive masters who do this are let go with barely a warning. I'd hate to think of how much damage was done by masses of tourists snorkeling around Thailand. Walking on the corals, dropping anchors, waste, etc. https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-divers-blasted-for-coral-damage-65075.php Phuket divers blasted for coral damage PHUKET: A Facebook conservation group (Go Eco Phuket) has blasted dive tour operators for damage to coral reefs at Koh Racha Yai, saying that a surge in dive tour numbers is a reason for the increasing amount of damage. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huberthammer Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 4 minutes ago, Jeffr2 said: And yet the Thai dive masters who do this are let go with barely a warning. I'd hate to think of how much damage was done by masses of tourists snorkeling around Thailand. Walking on the corals, dropping anchors, waste, etc. https://www.thephuketnews.com/phuket-divers-blasted-for-coral-damage-65075.php Phuket divers blasted for coral damage PHUKET: A Facebook conservation group (Go Eco Phuket) has blasted dive tour operators for damage to coral reefs at Koh Racha Yai, saying that a surge in dive tour numbers is a reason for the increasing amount of damage. Right or wrong aside, if you compare actions of 2020 to something that happened 3 years ago you are literally living in the past. Despite all the bad examples, in the last few years Thailand has woken up and there are a lot more discussions and actions about the protection of the environment (and yes, of course there is a lot more to be done). So punishment from 3 years ago clearly should not be the benchmark when judging if this ruling is harsh or not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jimbo53 Posted December 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2020 1 hour ago, ardsong said: can not belief these stu... divers. first of all disturbing the natural beauties of the sea and than secondly most stupid to shows their own illegal actions on the public internet. Had they not posted these pictures, nobody would have know except these divers and then they could have shown the pictures to their close friends only . Looking at the big picture,the guys done little or no damage,why dont you complain about Elephants and the Tigers that are drugged in Zoo's,and of which the Government dont give a second thought about when they tout for tourists have photo shoots with them!! TIT.... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chickenslegs Posted December 16, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted December 16, 2020 14 hours ago, ChipButty said: I'll stick to muff diving You could still be in trouble if you post the pictures on the internet. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oslooskar Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 14 hours ago, ChipButty said: I'll stick to muff diving Make sure you wear a snorkel so you don't have to come up for air. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeffr2 Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 11 minutes ago, huberthammer said: Right or wrong aside, if you compare actions of 2020 to something that happened 3 years ago you are literally living in the past. Despite all the bad examples, in the last few years Thailand has woken up and there are a lot more discussions and actions about the protection of the environment (and yes, of course there is a lot more to be done). So punishment from 3 years ago clearly should not be the benchmark when judging if this ruling is harsh or not. I've not seen changes like you suggest over the past few years. Trash is all over the seas, fishing trawlers are still dragging the bottom. Last year, hundreds of boats went out with scuba divers who walked all over corals. 3 years ago isn't that far. And I was trying to say that the local dive guides/divers didn't get into the same amount of trouble as the farang ones. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKr Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 (edited) see the illustrated version below. Edited December 16, 2020 by KKr 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pancho Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 These guys are burned at the stake for touching a mollusk, the truth is, the mollusk gave them Covid. It’s true. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KKr Posted December 16, 2020 Share Posted December 16, 2020 15 hours ago, ChipButty said: I'll stick to muff diving as long as you don't touch the wildlife, and if you inadvertently do, go to see a doctor for a protective jab. some creatures down there can be very stingy or sticky. dive into this one and you may not need a doctor ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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